How to avoid the most common back-to-school illnesses

Dubai, UAE: With the start of the 2015-2016 academic year next week, paediatricians shared their advice on how to avoid the most common back-to-school illnesses. Doctors said illnesses often spread at the beginning of the academic year because school grounds where children stay together in closed spaces for hours provide the perfect conditions for viruses to spread.

Most children develop at least six to eight colds a year, mostly during September to April, which happens to be when schools in the UAE start.

To begin with, parents should know the difference between a cold and flu, as a cold is a milder respiratory illness that can last for a few days, while flu symptoms can last for weeks.

“It is most likely flu, not a cold, if the child has high fever (above 38.6 degrees), severe headache, severe muscle ache and severe weakness,” said Dr Medhat Abu Shaaban, consultant in paediatrics and allergy.

Dr Shaaban said the virus can spread through sneezing, coughing, talking or by touching a contaminated surface, adding that viruses can stay alive on surfaces for 24 hours.

In fact, a study done by University of California, Berkeley found that students left alone under video surveillance showed them touching their face an average of 16 times in an hour.

Dr Shaaban said hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid viruses and bacteria.

However, another study on middle and high school students found that about half washed their hands after using the bathroom — and only 33 per cent of the girls and 8 per cent of the boys used soap.

Soap and water can be used for 20 seconds to wash away germs. Using alcohol-based hand cleaners is also effective.

“Other simple but highly preventable measures include covering your mouth and nose while sneezing with a tissue or your elbow (not your hand), keeping hands away from eyes and mouth and not sharing food, water or other personal items.”

The doctor advised parents to keep students at home until the fever and symptoms resolve as it only takes one child to spread the virus.

He also said a flu vaccine can be a very effective solution to protect against the flu but not the cold.

Foot, hand and mouth disease

Dr Reham Al Saeed, who is a specialist paediatrician at iCARE Clinic, said foot, hand and mouth disease is also a common disease among children below five, but can affect children up to 12 to 13 years old.

This disease is a viral infection that produces blisters on the hands and feet, and sores in the mouth. It also often occurs in the spring and fall.

Dr Reham said this disease is highly contagious and does not have any vaccination.

Its symptoms which also include fever and sore throats does, however, usually wear off after one week and its treatment is directed towards relief of symptoms (fever and sore throat).

Ear infection

Another common back to school illnesses is ear infection as it accounts for more than 35 per cent of paediatric visits.

Ear infections are most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

If it is a viral infection then doctors advise children to go back to school when they feel better and the fever is resolved. If the child has a bacterial sore throat, then they should go back to school after 48 hours of starting antibiotics.